The new IDF haredi ‘Hashmonaim” Brigade has launched with the draft of its first 50 “ultra-orthodox” recruits. The new recruits are expected to form the core of the first company in the brigade, the IDF said Sunday in its announcement.
The name of the new brigade derives from the ancient Hashmonaim, who were also known as the Maccabees. They rebelled against the Greek occupiers of Israel during the Second Temple period and saved the Jewish religion from being destroyed.
Throughout the day, additional enlistments of haredi pre-recruits are taking place for various other tracks that have been established to facilitate their integration into the IDF, the military said.
An additional 100 haredi men are to be enlisted at the Rifleman 07 level in a six-month infantry training program for reserve service as well, forming the brigade’s first reserves company.
During this month, several supplementary enlistment rounds are also scheduled, with the new recruits joining the ongoing basic training process.
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“The two companies enlisted today mark the initial step in establishing the ultra-orthodox brigade, a significant milestone in expanding the service of the ultra-orthodox sector in the IDF, particularly in light of the operational needs arising from the demands of the war,” the IDF said in a statement.
“In preparation for the brigade’s establishment, an extensive preparation process was undertaken, which included identifying and training personnel, adapting policies, renovating the training base, and adjusting it to accommodate the ultra-orthodox way of life.”
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Last month, the Israeli military established its first haredi Air Force technical unit, the “Scorpion Squadron.”
The new unit is based at the Ramat David Air Base in the Jezreel Valley, where 26 new haredi soldiers will service aircraft in the first IDF haredi underground aircraft maintenance facility.
